McDonald’s has announced it is to close for the Queen’s funeral to allow staff to “pay their respects”.

The fast food chain tweeted that on Monday, its UK restaurants will be shut from midnight until 5pm.

It has taken the action “in honour” of Her Majesty and to “enable everyone at McDonald’s to pay their respects”.

The company advises that opening hours and services “may vary after 5pm”, and is asking customers to “please check our app before travelling”.

A large number of other retail businesses will also be closed, including John Lewis department stores and most Waitrose supermarkets.

Tesco’s large stores will be closed all day, while Express stores will be closed until 5pm.

Read more on the Queen:
The Queen’s final journey to lying in state – how you can pay respects
Route revealed for queue to see the Queen lying in state – and where you can take a break
Day-by-day guide to what happens until Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

M&S says shops it owns will be closed all day, with “some limited exceptions”.

Most other retailers appear to be following suit.

The government has said there is “no obligation to suspend business” during the national mourning period.

But it added that some businesses “may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral”.

That, however, would be “at the discretion of individual businesses”, the guidance concluded.

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